Dips
A dip, or dip sauce, is a popular condiment used to enhance the flavor and texture of various foods. Unlike typical sauces, dips are thicker and intended for food to be submerged into them rather than applied directly.
Dips are a favorite accompaniment for finger foods, appetizers, and snacks, and are a staple in many global cuisines. They pair perfectly with:
- Vegetables: Carrot sticks, celery, and bell peppers often pair well with ranch dressing or hummus.
- Chips: Tortilla chips are commonly served with salsa, guacamole, or cheese dip.
- Bread: Pita bread is frequently enjoyed with dips like tzatziki or baba ghanoush.
- Seafood: Shrimp and other seafood are often complemented by classic cocktail sauce.
Spreads
Spreads enhance the flavor and texture of foods like bread and crackers. Unlike dips, spreads are meant to be smeared directly onto food.
Common spreads include:
- Dairy spreads: Cheeses, creams, butters (note that “butter” can refer to various spreads)
- Roe spreads: Caviar, mentaiko paste
- Nut-based butter: Peanut butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter, Nutella
- Fruit butter: apple butter, plum butter. They are similar to fruit pastes, such as quince cheese, but they typically have a smoother texture and are less sweetened compared to fruit pastes.
- Plant-derived spreads: Jams, jellies, hummus
- Meat-based spreads: Pâté
- Yeast spreads: Vegemite, Marmite
- Margarine
- Honey